Bayern beaten in Stuttgart

FC Bayern fell to a 3-1 loss away at VfB Stuttgart in the Bundesliga on Saturday. Leonidas Stergiou put the home side in front, with Harry Kane levelling the scores from the penalty spot before half-time, but late goals by Wooyeong Jeong and Silas meant Bayern were unable to guarantee second place just yet.

The Bavarians started with Manuel Neuer in goal and Joshua Kimmich, Minjae Kim, Eric Dier and Alphonso Davies in defence. Aleksandar Pavlović and Raphaël Guerreiro anchored a midfield featuring Mathys Tel, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting and Serge Gnabry, with Kane up front. Guerreiro had to be replaced with a knock after a quarter-hour, Leon Goretzka taking over. Dayot Upamecano replaced Dier at half-time, with Bryan, Noussair Mazraoui and Leroy Sané coming on for Kimmich, Gnabry and Tel in the second half.

Level at half-time

It was an intense and hard-fought battle, with Stuttgart seeing more of the ball. Neuer denied Chris Führich before clear-cut chances were at a premium for a spell. Dier crucially blocked a Serhou Guirassy effort, but Stuttgart took the lead when Deniz Undav's pass released Stergiou, who beat Neuer.

Bayern were awarded a penalty when Gnabry was upended in the box. Up stepped Kane and converted to level the scores with his 36th goal of the campaign. Atakan Karazor's deflected effort went just over the bar and Choupo-Moting saw an effort saved as it remained 1-1 going into half-time.

Tough going

Kane's through ball just after the restart released Choupo-Moting, who dragged his shot wide. Neuer saved Führich's cross-cum-shot and was again called into action by Undav and Jamie Leweling.

Kane sent a header wide as the pendulum swung the other way again. Bryan, Goretzka and Kane all saw shots blocked, but former FCB Jeong man powered a header past Neuer from a Silas cross. Silas then rounded things off in added time as he slotted in from 15 yards.

The result means Bayern have 69 points from 32 matches, two clear of Stuttgart with two league games to go. Bayern return to action on Wednesday for the crucial Champions League semi-final second leg away at Real Madrid.

Live match report for fcbayern.com by Greg Salmen